Lucie Barnes

Oct 26, 2023 | lexology.com | Lucie Barnes |Martin Sloan |Duncan MacLean

Operative electronic communications infrastructure right across the UK is essential for a digital economy that is modern, functioning and connected. In more recent years, how that infrastructure can be secured and protected from nefarious external players, is a key challenge for government, one which it has been seeking to address with legislative change.

Aug 31, 2023 | lexology.com | Scott Logan |Lucie Barnes

The Court of Appeal's judgment in Potting Shed Bar and Gardens Ltd (formerly Gencomp (No. 7) Ltd) v AP Wireless II (UK) Ltd [2023] EWCA Civ 825 is the latest to provide clarification on the interpretation of the Electronic Communications Code adopting a purposive approach to construe that a party to a new Code agreement need not be an original contracting party and, in doing so, closing another loophole in the Code.

Aug 31, 2023 | lexology.com | Lucie Barnes |Leonie Hall

Under the Electronic Communications Code, an operator is entitled to acquire rights over land to install a telecoms mast or equipment. However, a Code agreement will not be imposed on a landowner where (amongst other things) that landowner intends to redevelop all or part of the land, or neighbouring land, and could not reasonably do so if an agreement is imposed.

Mar 16, 2023 | lexology.com | Leonie Hall |Lucie Barnes

From 1 April 2023, many commercial properties in England and Wales having an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating below E will be deemed to be "sub-standard", following changes to the 'MEES Regulations'. By 2027, the EPC standard is set to become a C and by 2030, a B – working towards the UK net zero strategy by 2050.